Residents of areas along the Budhi Gandaki River in Nepal have been evacuated due to a flash flood

Residents of areas along the Budhi Gandaki River in Nepal have been evacuated following a flash flood

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority evacuated villagers and warned others to move to safer places while remaining on alert. According to the authority, at least five people are currently listed as missing, reported

The flash flood also damaged or destroyed four bridges, washed away about three dozen houses, and damaged a hydroelectric power plant construction site. Several power and communication towers along the riverbank were damaged.

The Nepal Army stated that it continues to rescue trapped people using helicopters and ground troops. By noon on Sunday local time, 49 people had been rescued.

According to the authority, the flash flood was triggered by a landslide that initially blocked the Budhi Gandaki River near the village of Chumchure. The dam formed by the landslide then burst, causing the flooding. The Budhi Gandaki River flows into the Trishuli River and is an important waterway near the capital, Kathmandu.

Social media videos show houses and sheds being swept away by the swollen river flowing between high mountains. It was not immediately clear how many of the small villages in the mountainous area were affected. Social media posts indicate that the government warning prompted evacuations in Arughat, a riverside town on the highway connecting Kathmandu with other parts of the country.

Nepal is still recovering from a devastating flood in August along the mountainous border between Nepal and China, which claimed the lives of more than 1,400 people and left thousands missing.

The office of Nepal's Prime Minister Balendra Shah announced on Monday the termination of search and rescue operations for additional victims. Authorities will instead focus on recovery, including repairing roads and bridges cut off by the floods, especially in remote areas where damaged infrastructure has hindered aid delivery. The government estimates recovery efforts at US$4.77 billion (NZ$8.51 billion). Nearly 33,000 people were affected, and about 7,500 houses were damaged or destroyed.